Using this Perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs recipe, you can finally make easy-to-peel eggs. This 2-minute Instant Pot eggs recipe requires no ice bath and it’s the hands-off way to cook hard boiled eggs quickly and easily. Make a dozen eggs or one egg with the same recipe!
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Until I started making electric pressure cooker hard boiled eggs, I had the hardest time getting perfect eggs that are easy to peel.
Egg white would come off in bits and pieces when I peeled the eggs. I tried all kinds of tips and tricks, including adding baking soda or vinegar to the water, putting cold eggs in boiling water, and sticking them in an ice bath after boiling them.
Once I tried to make hard boiled eggs in my Instant Pot, I was finally able to make perfect hard boiled eggs every time!
It’s an easy and uncomplicated recipe. And here’s the best part. The eggs peel with little effort! This method is great for making deviled eggs, easter eggs, or meal prep. I like to add boiled eggs to my salad, and I make a half dozen eggs for the week.
Many recipes show you how to steam eggs in the Instant Pot and I’ve tried them, particularly the 555 or 5-5-5 method, where you cook the eggs for 5 minutes, let the pressure release after 5 minutes, and place the eggs in an ice bath for 5 minutes.
Although it works pretty well, it’s pretty hands-on – you need to stick around while the eggs cook and cool down.
Why go through all that when you can do it completely hands-off? This 2-minute Instant Pot boiled eggs method requires no formula, timer, or ice bath. It’s so easy!
Boil eggs in the Instant Pot and use them in Wasabi deviled eggs or Instant Pot Kerala Egg Curry.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
How Many Eggs Can You Cook at One Time?
I’ve cooked up to 12 eggs and have had no problems. I’ve had readers cook up to two dozen large eggs stacked on each other with no issues. I’ve also made just one or two eggs and that’s worked out great too. Use the same pressure cook timings.
I frequently make hard-boiled eggs at the beginning of the week and store them in a container in the fridge. We use the eggs throughout the week and find they are as easy to peel as when they’re first cooked.
Accessories
You should already have a trivet or steam rack that ships with the Instant Pot. You can place the eggs directly on the trivet.
Some Instant Pot models don’t include the trivet so you can either purchase a trivet or get a tall basket whose bottom sits above the water level.
I like to use the trivet and a collapsible steamer basket on it. However, if I were purchasing one today, I’d get a steamer basket that sits higher so I don’t need to use a trivet.
I also love this deep basket that comes as an accessory to the Mealthy CrispLid. I place it on the trivet and it perfectly fits a dozen eggs. It’s also easy to remove because of the convenient handles.
[Read More: How to Convert your Instant Pot into an Air Fryer with the Mealthy CrispLid]
How to Avoid Cracked Eggs
Although I rarely have cracked eggs, here are some tips if you’re getting cracked eggs:
- Bring the eggs out of the fridge and let them warm up before cooking.
- Avoid eggs that have hairline cracks. I notice that white eggs have these more often.
- Try using low pressure and do a full NPR (Natural Pressure Release). You may need to increase the cooking time to about 5 minutes.
- Try a different brand of eggs.
- Although many folks have no trouble pressure cooking farm fresh eggs, if you’re having trouble with peeling the eggs using this method, try using store-bought eggs.
- Use cold water, not warm or room temperature water in the inner pot.
Make Instant Pot Eggs Without a Steamer Rack
My method of cooking eggs is actually steaming the eggs because you’re putting the eggs on a rack, trivet, or basket. I have tried pressure cooking eggs without a rack by placing the eggs in enough water to cover the eggs (about 1 ½ to 2 cups of water) and the results were good. I prefer to pressure cook the hard-boiled eggs with a rack.
Instant Pot hard boiled eggs 8 qt: The 8 quart Instant Pot will be able to accommodate more eggs. You may also need to add a bit more water to the pot to ensure it comes to pressure: about 2 cups. No other changes are needed.
Boil Eggs in the Instant Pot Using the Egg Setting
The Egg button on the Instant Pot defaults to 5 minutes. I select the Egg function but modify the time to 2 minutes. * Many models remember the last setting and this allows you to use the Egg button even if you don’t want to pressure cook for the default 5 minutes.
* The Instant Pot Duo model does not have an Egg button. You need to use the Pressure Cook or Manual button.
How to Make Soft Boiled Eggs in the Pressure Cooker
To make perfectly cooked soft boiled eggs, pressure cook the eggs as directed and do a 1-minute Natural Release (wait 1 minute and do a quick pressure release of pressure) and place the eggs into an ice bath for 3 to 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle.
Different Instant Pot Models
I usually use a 6 quart Instant Pot but you can use this recipe to make eggs in any model or size of Instant Pot. In the Instant Pot Mini (3 quart) model, you’ll be able to accommodate fewer eggs.
Instant Pot hard boiled eggs 8 qt: The 8 quart Instant Pot will be able to accommodate more eggs. You may also need to add more water to the pot to ensure it comes to pressure: about 2 cups. No other changes are needed.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, you might find it helpful to first read one of the following guides and then come back here to learn how to make this recipe.
- General Instant Pot Instructions for Beginners
- Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs Ingredients
- Eggs
How to Boil Eggs in the Instant Pot (Step by Step Instructions)
- Add water and place eggs on a trivet or basket
- Pressure cook
- Natural release
- Cool and peel eggs
Add Water and Place Eggs on Trivet
- Add water to the bottom of your Instant Pot.
- Place steamer rack/trivet or steamer basket in the Instant Pot.
- Carefully place eggs on the rack or steamer basket.
Instant Pot Duo Pressure Cook 2 minutes
- Close the lid and make sure steam release handle is in ‘Sealing’ position
- Press Manual or Pressure Cook and + or – until the display reads 2 (2 minutes).
Instant Pot Ultra Pressure Cook 2 minutes
- Close the lid.
- Select Pressure Cook mode and adjust the time to 2 minutes (00:02).
- Press Start.
Pressure Cooking Process (Duo and Ultra)
- Instant Pot display will change to On.
- Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the float valve will go up.
- The display will count down to 0; it will then switch to Keep Warm mode and display L0:00 or 00 00 and begin to count up the number of minutes since pressure cooking completed.
How to Naturally Release Pressure (NPR) on the DUO and ULTRA
- Allow the pressure to release naturally (NPR). The float valve will be in the down position. This may take 15 to 30 minutes. [Find out more about the pressure release methods and how and when to use them. ]
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
Cool Eggs and Peel
- Your Instant Pot eggs should be perfectly cooked.
- Carefully remove eggs from Instant Pot. Allow the eggs to cool naturally. Optionally, transfer eggs to a bowl of water to cool down faster.
- Once they are cool enough to handle, peel hard boiled eggs.
The inspiration for this recipe is This Old Gal’s Instant Pot hard boiled egg recipe. The original recipe had a 10 or 15-minute natural release and I modified it to be a full natural release.
Perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 10 eggs or any quantity *
- water 1 ½ cups
Instructions
- Add water to the inner pot and place trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Place eggs directly on the trivet or in a steamer basket on the trivet. If the steamer basket has tall legs, you won't need a trivet.
- Close the lid and pressure cook the eggs on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- Do a Natural Release of Pressure and open the lid. [Read More: The Different Pressure Release Methods]
- Open the Instant Pot and carefully remove the eggs. Cool the eggs naturally. Optionally, place them in a bowl of ice water to cool faster.
- Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, peel them.
Notes
- * Although you should be able to pressure cook more than a dozen eggs at a time, the first time you use this recipe, try out no more than 6 eggs to make sure you are satisfied with the results.
- See the blog post for more detailed recipe tips.
Nutrition
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I am not a certified nutritionist. I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers. If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons, I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.
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More Instant Pot Recipes
Tana says
I have had my instant pot for a few years and never made eggs in them because the 555Process seemed to daunting. I Was running behind today on making my deviled eggs for Easter And the only way I could decide to speed it up was to use my instant pot for my eggs. I ran across your recipe And I think it was heaven sent I couldn’t imagine that I could just put the eggs in there with some water and set it for 2 minutes and they would be Beautifully done But They were the most gorgeous boiled eggs I have ever made. I followed your directions Only I used 18 eggs as I’m cooking for a big group Thank you thank you thank you I will forever use my instant pot to cook my boiled eggs and always use your method
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Thanks Tana! I’m so glad that you were able to find me. I will NEVER go back to boiling eggs on the stove – this is way too easy 🙂
Arlene says
Hi Neena. Was so glad to come across your site. The Instant Pot manual leaves a lot to be desired. I have a question about the eggs. A former neighbor of mine who now has chickens dropped off some eggs. Seriously, these chickens must be on steroids! The eggs are huge! He had to put a rubber band around the carton (that said jumbo) to hold them in. Any suggestions as to time adjustment?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Arlene, I’m glad you found me too! That’s so funny about the eggs 🙂 I think because the eggs are going to sit in the Instant Pot till the pressure releases, you should be fine. I would give that a try with a couple of eggs and then adjust the cook time by a minute if you find that they’re underdone.
S S says
Thanks for your tutorial on using the IP. You made it so easy & clear. I’ve never had more perfect eggs! So easy to make & they just peel easily – no sticking.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Thank you for your comment – glad to help out!
Linda Sanders says
What is the purpose of the “egg” setting?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Linda, the ‘egg’, ‘rice’, ‘meat/stew’, etc settings are just presets. The ‘egg’ preset pressure cooks eggs for 5 minutes. That’s a different way to cook eggs called 5-5-5. I prefer the 2 minute method. You can try both and see what you like. Also note that the presets can be changed on some models. For example, if the preset is for 5 minutes, you can change it to 2 minutes and then the next time you select the Egg functions, it will be at 2 minutes. Hope that explains it 🙂
Dan says
We opened our new IP today. I made these eggs to learn about the device, but discovered the best, easiest to peel hard boil eggs I’ve ever had. Thank you!
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Dan, yess!! I feel the same way 🙂
Arthur says
My wife and I are fans of your site, Neena, and we could both offer many points of appreciation or praise for this recipe and much else… but there is one claim on paintthekitchenred.com that needs correction: Your hands are fabulous, not terrible. My wife says to tell you she admires your long, expressive fingers, and your taste in rings, and so was surprised to hear that you’re not pleased with them. We both think you should definitely feel confident being your own hand model. 🙂 Anyway, thanks again for the recipes, for the best substitute owner’s manual, and overall for giving us a great start with our Instant Pot Ultra.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Awww – that’s such a sweet comment! You are too kind. I am very self conscious of my hands LOL! So thank you for taking the time to give me such great encouragement. Y’all are the reason I do this blog and share all these recipes. Thank you for your support!